Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar visited Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal in Delhi on Thursday, in what is considered as another move by Opposition leaders to unify them ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, news agency ANI reported. Following the meeting, Rahul Gandhi stated that the process of uniting the opposition has begun and that all parties are dedicated to it.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief met with Congress leaders at Kharge’s residence in Delhi, where they discussed opposition-unification measures.
After meeting with Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and other leaders, Sharad Pawar stated: “Our thinking is exactly what Kharge ji told you. But mere thinking will not help. A process needs to be started… This is just the beginning. After this, talks will be held with other important opposition parties – be it Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, or others – to try to integrate them into this process…”
#WATCH | NCP chief Sharad Pawar addresses the media after meeting Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in Delhi.
“Our thinking is exactly what Kharge ji told you. But mere thinking will not help. A process needs to be started…This is just the beginning. After… pic.twitter.com/GZ4dz3cJuF
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2023
Addressing the media, Kharge said: “…To save the country & democracy and keep the Constitution safe, for freedom of speech and expression, for employment of youth and issues like inflation & misuse of autonomous bodies, we are ready to fight as one. We will talk to everyone one by one. Pawar Sahab too says the same.”
#WATCH | Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge addresses the media after NCP chief Sharad Pawar met him at his residence in Delhi.
“…To save the country & democracy and keep the Constitution safe, for freedom of speech and expression, for employment of youth and issues like… pic.twitter.com/oIFPDZ5eLL
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2023
“What Kharge ji and Pawar ji said, that a process has begun to unite the Opposition. This is the beginning. All parties are committed to this process,” Rahul Gandhi said.
#WATCH | Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, “What Kharge ji and Pawar ji said, that a process has begun to unite the Opposition. This is the beginning. All parties are committed to this process.” pic.twitter.com/NaEuWHq6m4
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2023
The meeting comes barely a day after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav met in Delhi with Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Arvind Kejriwal to unify the opposition against the Modi administration ahead of the 2024 elections.
Efforts to unite the opposition look to be picking up steam this week, with Nitish Kumar meeting Left veterans Sitaram Yechury and D Raja on Thursday.
Kumar departed the national capital after meeting with numerous opposition leaders, including the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Following his meeting with Kumar, Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), stated that seat modifications will be made at the state level and hinted at the prospect of a third front – a non-BJP, non-Congress alliance.
(With Inputs From ANI)